A Child Grasping the Blade of a Real Sword!? The Full Story and Highlights of the Nationally Designated Cultural Property 'Sano Kagura (Takaharu no Kanme)'

Summary of this article 'Sano Kagura' is dedicated every year on the first Saturday of December in Takaharu Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. Heavily influenced by Kirishima mountain asceticism and Satsuma sword techniques, it is locally referred to not as 'Kagura' but as 'Kanme' (Divine Dance). This article provides a thorough explanation of unique and unparalleled performances, such as 'Funtsurugi,' where a young elementary school boy grasps the tip of a real sword with his bare hands, and 'Gosui-mai,' where the dancer performs while drinking sake. Furthermore, we have fully covered the schedule and highlights of all 28 performances that continue from 7:00 PM until sunrise the next morning. This is a 'must-save' guide to read before visiting.

Hello. This is 'Miyazaki Kagura: The Dance of Eight Million Gods Connecting Prayer and Tradition'.

This is a series that thoroughly explains the charm of Kagura in various parts of Miyazaki Prefecture.
This time, we will introduce the 'Sano Kagura,' a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down in Takaharu Town, located at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures.

When people think of Miyazaki Kagura, the 'Iwatobiraki' (opening of the heavenly rock cave) of Amaterasu Omikami or the 'Ta-asobi' (rice field play) to pray for a bountiful harvest are famous, but the Kagura here in Takaharu Town is a little different. Strongly influenced by Kirishima asceticism (Satsuma style), the dance is locally called'Kanme' (Divine Dance) instead of Kagura, and it features a long list of extremely martial and heroic performances using real swords (Japanese swords).

We will delve into the overwhelming highlights that you absolutely cannot see in other regions, as well as the time schedule for all performances held throughout the night!

1. What is Sano Kagura (Takaharu no Kanme)?

Sano Kagura is dedicated throughout the night at Sano Shrine, which originates from the childhood name of Emperor Jimmu, 'Sano no Mikoto,' from around 7:00 PM on the 'first Saturday of December' every year until sunrise the next morning. Together with the Haraikawa Kagura in the same town of Takaharu, it is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as 'Takaharu no Kanme'.

There are records that an organization of shrine families (shake) was already established in the early Edo period, and it is said that the spirit of the Satsuma domain and the Satsuma sword technique 'Jigen-ryu' flow through its foundation, and a major feature is that 'Tsurugi-mai' (sword dances) account for about one-third of all performances.

2. The '3 Highlights' of Sano Kagura You Absolutely Cannot Miss

In Sano Kagura, there are several surprising performances that you would rarely see in other Kagura in Miyazaki Prefecture.

① A child grasps a real sword with bare hands! 'Funtsurugi'

This 'Funtsurugi' can be called the synonym of Sano Kagura. Following the heroic sword dances of the adults, a small boy (child) wearing a headband appears. Surprisingly,he firmly grasps the tips of the real swords (Japanese swords) thrust out by the adults on both sides with his bare hands, and dances in sync with their breathing. It is a sacred ritual with overwhelming tension and beauty that makes those watching hold their breath.

※ Regarding the method, it is said that there is a traditional method passed down from generation to generation.

② Performing while drinking real sake: 'Gosui-mai'

In this dance, also called 'Bin-me' (Bottle Dance), the dancer appears while holding a 'five-go bottle of shochu' wrapped in white paper in his left hand. In the middle of the dance, with a unique shout of 'Onpashi!',he repeats the comical action of actually drinking shochu and shaking his head. Such unrestrained dancing is not seen in Kagura in other regions.

③ The heretical god that makes the audience burst into laughter: 'Shinka'

An ogre appears in a black unlined kimono with a towel over his cheeks and a hunched back. However, a 'rice scoop,' 'mortar pestle,' and 'ladle' are stuck in his waist. With strange movements completely different from other Kanme, such as trotting in circles while ringing a shakujo staff at his feet, he throws the late-night Kagura lodge into a vortex of laughter (it is speculated to be a type of rice field god dance).

3. Sano Kagura: All Performances and Time Schedule (Must-Save Edition)

We have summarized the entire program of Sano Kagura, which continues from the evening until 'sunrise' the next morning, the estimated times, and the highlights of each. (※ Times are only estimates and may change depending on the progress of the day)

【Evening: Preparation for Kagura and the Opening】

• 08:00– Preparation of the dance stage: Setting up the Sao (sacred rope of the great treasure) and the Tengai (canopy).

• 18:00– Ritual meal: The dancers eat kappo sake and simmered dishes to purify their bodies.

• 19:00– Hama-kudari (Descent to the beach): A procession with a portable shrine carrying the deity moves from the main hall of Sano Shrine to the dance stage. It is said that if spectators join the procession holding white cloth, they will remain free from illness and disaster for the year.

[Night: The beginning of the sacred dance]

• 20:00– Taiko no Koto (The matter of the drum): The head priest performs a chant while beating the drum.

• 20:05– Ichiban-mai (First dance): A pure dance performed by two children to announce the start of the sacred dance.

• 20:20– Kanshi (Divine master): The most important dance performed by 4–5 adults, who are the core members of the group.

• 20:50– Totte (Leaping out): A solo dance by a demon god who leaps out from under the altar.

• 21:00– Jiwari (Land division): The longest program in the Sano sacred dance. Arrows are placed in the four directions at the end.

• 21:40– Kanayama (Metal mountain): A demon god in flashy attire comically retrieves the arrows placed during the Jiwari.

• 21:50– Shime (Marking)/22:00– Takabi (High offering): A dance with small steps performed with the image of a goddess.

• 22:10– Yotsu no Koto (The matter of the four): A program with strong Buddhist influences where the four demon gods of Totte, Kanayama, Shime, and Takabi dance in succession.

• 22:25~ Shinka (Retainer): A dance of the Rice Field God, the most humorous performance, featuring a rice scoop and pestle tucked into the waist.

• 22:45~ Funtsurugi (Sword Stepping): [Major Highlight] A sword dance filled with tension, where a child dances while gripping the tip of a real blade.

• 23:50~ Hanamai (Flower Dance): An adorable performance where 12 children, ranging from preschoolers to elementary students, dance while holding hands.

[Late Night to Dawn: Heroic Sword Dances and the World of Mythology]

• 00:10~ Naginata (Halberd): An acrobatic dance where the performer swings a real halberd over their head and around their waist, ending with repeated forward and backward rolls while holding the weapon.

• 00:50~ Minotsurugi (Winnowing Basket Sword): A performance unique to southern Kyushu where a child wearing a winnowing basket stands on a bridge made of pestles held by adults and scatters paper cuttings.

• 01:20~ Hokomai (Spear Dance): The performer holds a three-pronged spear, representing the 'Heavenly Inverted Spear' of Mount Takachiho.

• 01:40~ Hontsurugi (Main Sword)/02:45~ Hitoritsurugi (Solo Sword): A solo dance performed by an adult using a real, sharp blade.

• 02:20~ Sumiyoshi/03:25~ Shibakojin: A solo dance performed by a fierce deity.

• 03:55~ Okagura (Great Kagura): A dynamic dance performed by eight adults.

• 04:35~ Mikasamai: A dance of a fierce deity wearing a black hunting robe (kariginu).

• 05:00~ Gosuimai (Drunken Dance): [Major Highlight] A unique performance where the dancer drinks real shochu from a bottle while dancing.

• 05:20~ Ryuzo / 05:55~ Kobusa: A unique dance involving items like sticks arranged in a cross shape.

• 06:35~ Tajikarao: The climax where the Heavenly Rock Cave is thrown aside. Around this time, the sun begins to rise.

[Next day evening: The gods' change of lodging]

• Around 19:00~ Kirishima-ko: After the Naorai (ritual feast), a ceremony is held where the shrine (Kirishima-sama) housing volcanic rocks from around Mt. Kirishima is carried, accompanied by drums and bells, to a new lodging (the home of a volunteer).

4. To witness the wonderful moment of dedication

The tension of a child holding a real sword, the flying sweat, and the laughter. Sano Kagura is a one-of-a-kind ritual in Miyazaki that perfectly fuses local life, faith, and the spirit of martial arts.

However, Kagura is not a tourist event, but a private 'place of prayer' for the village. Many performances use real swords, and the strong light of a strobe (flash) can dazzle the dancers, which is a very dangerous act that can lead to serious accidents. If you are taking photographs, please strictly follow the rules, such as prohibiting flash photography and respecting restricted areas, so as not to interfere with the ritual.

Also, the schedule and location of the Kagura may be changed suddenly due to village circumstances. If you head there without checking beforehand just because 'it was written on the internet,' you may miss it. To obtain accurate information, please be sure to contact the local municipal office, tourism association, or the shrine directly. Before you go, check the viewing rules and preparations in the guide below so you can head to the sacred grounds fully prepared!

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To our readers

What did you think of the surprising ritual where 'a child holds a real sword'? Kagura is not just a traditional performing art, but a serious arena where local people pass down 'life and pride' across generations. If you have ever experienced an all-night vigil at Sano Kagura or other night Kagura, please share the overwhelming intensity and emotion you felt in the comments section!

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